Neely said he couldn't approve making the position full time before getting a handle on the borough's financial picture for 2002.

"It's a significant financial investment for the borough," he said. "I don't feel comfortable securing that position right now without first going through the budget process and seeing if we can afford it."

The borough must adopt a 2002 budget by December.

An advertised second reading of the ordinance must occur before council can vote on expanding the position.

In other business, council awarded the Emmaus Main Street Program $5,000 to beautify and renovate the downtown.

The Main Street Program has received $250,000 in state and federal grants and private donations since it started in 1995, program President Thomas Devine said.

The borough hasn't contributed anything since 1998, said Eric Loch, owner of Eric J. Loch Jewelers on Main Street.

"We need to see some financial support so people can see this is something to give money to," he said.

There are about 200 businesses in the historic district between Second and Fifth streets, said Noreen Yamamoto, executive director of the Main Street Program.

The goal of the program is to preserve the heart of the Emmaus community by maintaining an attractive and vibrant downtown so shoppers don't abandon it for the malls, she said.

"Because many of the buildings are historical, if you let them go for so long they reach a point of no return," she said. "This helps bring back smaller towns."

Godusky voted against the grant, saying his reason "should be discussed in executive session."